Well systems



H. A. TUBBS Aug. 19,1958

WELL SYSTEMS Filed Oct. 25, 1956 Hum/e0 A. 77/55.: flan/Ki HTTOE VE y WELL SYSTEMS Howard A. Tubbs, Whitewater, Wis.

Application ()ctoher 25, 1956, Serial No. 618,223

11 Claims. '(Cl. IDS-'6) The invention relates to well systems of the type normally used in supplying water in rural areas for domestic or commercial purposes.

' in particular, theinvention relates to the type of well system in which a submersible type pump is located within the well casing, such pump together with. its motor being suspended from the drop pipe which delivers the water to the storage tank.

The principal object is to provide an improved well system employing an underground type of storage tank which is directly associated with the well casing.

A more specific object is to provide in an. underground storage tank; one which is less susceptible to freezing.

A further object is to provide in an underground storage tank type of system, an improved construction for assuring an air tight tank.

A further object is to provide in an underground storage tank type of system, a well casing section which extends entirely through the tank thereby facilitating observation of the distributor head without need 'fordraining the storage tank or even losing air pressure within the tank.

A further object is to provide an underground tank type of system with means for easily handling the lowering of the'tank into the pit provided for same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing specification and appended drawing in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view of the system installed in the ground;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper end of the storage tank with associated parts and also showing the distributor head;

Fig. 3 is a-sectional view of the well casing and distributor head taken on the line 3'3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of a portion of the system; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail viewofanother portion of the system.

In general, the well system includes the well casing A, which in practice would be made upof sections 'of pipe secured together to form a continuous pipe extending "down into the ground to a depth sufficient to encounter the source of water. Thewel] casing normally hasa common inside diameter throughout its length to accommodate the pump and motor unit'B"whichis submergtd at all times belowwater level within the casing. The pump and motor unit is suspended from'the drop pipe C which, of course, is formed of sections connected together so as to extend throughout the length of the well casing continuously. The upper end ofthe drop pipe is connected to the water distributor D from whence the water enters the storage tank E and is dispensed into the house or other place'of usage. through the discharge pipe F (only a portion of which is shown). Suitable electric wiring G leads from the source of electricity (not shown) into the interior of the well casing, down through the distributor head-and on-down'throughthe well casing to the pump and motor unit.

rt: til

provide an airtight tank.

2,847,939 Patented Aug. 19, 1958 In a well system of this type it is conventional practice to supply a pressure switch (not shown) which is responsive to the air pressure within the storage tank for automatically controlling the operation of the pump and motor unit.

The distributor D'may include a single casting having axially spaced lands 1t) and 11 with annular grooves for receiving the O-ring type seals 12 and 13 thus closing off the annular water chamber 14 which communicates with the water outlet openings 15 and '16 formed in the casing section 17. The'water thus travels up through the drop pipe C from the uppermost section 18 thereof into the diametric slot 19 which opens into the annular chamber 14 from whence the water is discharged through the openings 15 and 16 into the storage tank E. The dis tributor casting may have a passage 20 opening through the opposite ends thereof through which the conductor wires G pass.

It is necessary to admit air into the interior of the storage tank as needed to provide a suitable air cushion abovethe waterlevel in said tank for pressurizing the system and this air is introduced into the tank through appropriate bleeders 21 and 22 in a manner to be explained hereinafter. Excess air within the tank is discharged to-atmosphere through the discharge pipe 23 in accordance with water level within the tank. Whenever the water level reaches a predetermined height within 'thetank, the fioat 24 swings upwardly following the waterlevel and opens an air control valve 25 allowing air in the storage tank to escape through the pipe 23 to atmosphere, through the interior of plug 27 and out through the porous plugs'Z'ei. The air release valve 25 is of conventional construction and is not disclosed in detail. In Fig. 1 the water level is shown as being about at a point where pump operation would be imminent for adding more water in the tank.

The storage tank maybe fabricated of plate material having similar end caps and 3t) telescoped within the opposite endsof the cylinder 31 and welded thereto to The well casing may have the connector 17 telescopically received within the diametrically enlarged uppersection 32 and welded thereto, thereby providing a suitable annular shoulder 26 on i which the diametrically opposed ears 33 of the distributor head rest thus supporting the pump and motor unit and drop pipe within the well casing. The upper end 34 of "the pipe section 32 extends a substantial distance above the end of the storage tank and will project above ground level about 8 or so. The end caps of the tank are welded respectively to the pipe sections and 32 so that the i storage-tank is air-tight at the joints where the respective pipes pass through the end caps.

The upper end of the pipe section 32 is closed off with a sealing cap assembly which forms the subject matter of U. S. Patent No. 2,793,699, and generally includes a single casting 3d anchored as by means of set screws 37 to the upper end of the pipe section 32, a suitable gasket 38 preferably being interposed" between the underside of the cover 36. and the end ofthe pipe section 32. The casting has an opening '39 therein through which the electrical wires pass and the boss 4% may have one or more porous plugs 41 as best shown in Fig. 5 therein for establishing ccmnuinication between the interior of pipe section 32 and atmosphere. Thus atmospheric air can enter into the interior of. pipe section 32 but cannot escape into the interior of the storage tank except through the bleeders 21 and 22. After entering the interior of casing section"'32 the air travels through the passages 2t} and 43 in the distributor casting down to the bleeders.

- By running the casing sections 17 and 32 entirely through the storage tank and out the opposite ends thereof; the interior ofthe storage tank is not subject to the possibility of air leakage at the cover 36 and the only communication between the interior of the pipe casing sections and the storage tank is through the drop pipe C, slot 19, annular pocket 14 and easing openings 15 and 16. When the pump is operating, water is being delivered up through the drop pipe and into the storage tank until the pressure switch opens the electric circuit to the pump motor. Then when the pump ceases operating, a one way check valve 42 prevents the water in the storage tank from running back down through the drop pipe, however, the receding of the water within the drop pipe below the check valve causes a suction condition to tend to want to build up within the drop pipe wherein the valve ball 50 (see Fig. 4) within the bleeder 21 would tend to close against its outer seat 51 and thus prevent admission of air into the interior of drop pipe C, however, the second bleeder 22 allows escape of the receding water until the opening 52 is exposed to the atmospheric air which is present within the well casing A. Then the partial vacuum condition within the drop pipe beneath check valve 42 causes a charge of air to be drawn into the interior of the drop pipe. The water within the drop pipe will recede to a level in the vicinity of the second bleeder, check valve 53 at the pumpmotor unit preventing the water level to recede any further. The check valve 53 may be of the same general construction as shown in Fig. 4 with reference to valve 42 and the bleeder 22 may be of the same general construction as bleeder 21. Thus, with a column of air supplied within the drop pipe, when the pump next operates, a charge of air is pushed through the check valve 42 and on into the storage tank ahead of the column of water coming up through the drop pipe. As has been previously explained, if too much air is introduced into the storage tank, the excess will be expelled out through the tube 23 by operation of the air control 25. The stand pipe 54 which houses the air release pipe 23 extends well up above the upper end of the tank so as to project sutliciently far above ground level and said stand pipe also serves as a supporting column along with pipe 32 in conjunction with the web 44 which is rigidly secured to both pipes as by means of welding. To facilitate handling of the storage tank and associated parts, a grappling hook can be inserted under the web for lifting the storage tank as desired.

By using a stand pipe of fairly large diameter, the air escape pipe 23 can be threaded into the plug 27 which in turn is threaded into the stand pipe. The'tapered pipe threads provide a very suitable seal for preventing loss of air from the storage tank whereby water logging within the tank is effectively controlled and the water level within the tank is kept well below frost level to prevent freezing. The stand pipe 54 also permits removal of the float valve assembly for servicing.

By running the well casing section entirely through the tank the water within the tank can never rise beyond the underside of the end cap 29 (a fully water logged condition) and thus the water is still below ground level and not as susceptible to freezing as in prior art systems where the tank water can rise above ground level when fully water logged and is subject to freezing at comparatively moderate temperatures.

Additionally, by running the well casing section 32 entirely through the storage tank, whereby it is not subject to tank water, the cover assembly 35 can be removed and servicing accomplished without the need of draining the storage tank.

The distributor D may be provided with a threaded nipple 55 to which can be threaded a servicing apparatus for withdrawing the distributor, drop pipe and pumpmotor unit from the well casing for servicing.

I claim:

1. For use in a well system including a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and having a discharge outlet for dispensing the water from the tank toward the place of usage and a pumping system for introducing a fresh supply of water into the storage tank, apparatus for discharging excess air from the interior of the tank to atmosphere comprising: a hollow column projecting through the tank wall so that one end thereof is within the interior of the tank and the other end is located exteriorly of the tank; an air transfer tube telescopically received within the interior of the column and supported thereby and a valve associated with the tube for permitting escape of air through the tube, said tube having an opening to atmosphere so that communication between the interior of the tank and atmosphere is established when the valve is opened.

2. For use in a well system including a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and having a discharge outlet for dispensing the water from the tank toward the place of usage and a pumping system for introducing a fresh supply of water into the storage tank, apparatus for discharging excess air from the interior of the tank to atmosphere comprising: a hollow column projecting through the tank wall so that one end thereof is within the interior of the tank and the other end is located exteriorly of the tank; an air transfer tube telescopically received within the interior of the column; closure means 'for the end of the column and supporting the air transfer tube, said closure means having an opening to atmosphere; a valve carried on the tube for permitting air to escape from the interior of the tank through the opening in the closure means to atmosphere.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the closure means is in the form of a removable plug threaded into the end of the column and wherein the inside diameter of the column is sufiiciently large as to permit the tube and valve to be withdrawn from the tank through the interior of the column.

4. In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; water handling apparatus within the casing and'including a water drop pipe and a water distributor; said water distributor being located interiorly of the easing and including sealing means for preventing entrance of water into the casing above the distributor, additional sealing means for preventing loss of water into the casing below the distributor; said casing having an opening therein for establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the drop pipe for permitting water to flow from the interior of the drop pipe into the interior of the storage tank; said drop pipe being located interiorly of the casing and extending downwardly from the distributor to the source of water within the casing.

5. In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; a pump assembly within the casing and including a pumping unit, a water drop pipe and a water distributor, said water distributor being located above the water drop .pipe and pumping unit; spaced sealing means interposed between the distributor and the interior wall of the casing thereby providing a water passage between said sealing means and the interior wall of the casing, said casing having an opening in communication with the water passage for discharging water into the storage tank.

6, In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the" storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; a pump assembly within the casing and including a pumping unit, a water drop pipe and a water distributor; spaced sealing means interposed between the distributor and the interior wall of the casing, thereby providing a water passage between said sealing means and the interior wall of the casing, said casing having an opening in communication with the water passage for discharging water from the drop pipe into the storage tank, an air escape column secured to the tank and projecting outwardly therefrom above ground level, said column being adjacent to but spaced from that portion of the casing which projects out of the tank above ground level and a web spaced from the tank, extending between and being secured to the column and the casing to provide a grappling surface for lifting the tank and easing during installation into or removal from the ground 7. In a well system, a water storage tank adapatable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; said storage tank having upper and lower end closure walls each with an opening therethrough and the hollow casing projecting through the respective openings, said end closure walls each having water tight engagement with the exterior surface of the hollow casing; a water handling mechanism within the casing and including, a water drop pipe and a water distributor; said water distributor being located interiorly of the casing and including sealing means for preventing entrance of water into the casing above the distributor, additional sealing means for preventing loss of water into the casing below the distributor; said casing having an opening therein for establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the drop pipe for permitting water to flow from the interior of the drop pipe into the interior of the storage tank; said drop pipe being located interiorly of the casing and extending downwardly from the distributor to the source I of water within the casing said mechanism being capable of removal by being withdrawn up through that portion of the casing situated within the storage tank.

\ 8. In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; water handling apparatus within the casing and including a water drop pipe and a water distributor; said Water distributor being located interiorly of the casing and including sealing means for preventing entrance of water into the casing above the distributor, additional sealing means for preventing loss of water into the casing below the distributor; said casing having an opening therein for establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the drop pipe for permitting water to flow from the interior of the drop pipe into the interior of the storage tank; said drop pipe being located interiorly of the casing and extending downwardly from the distributor to the source of water within the casing and said casing above the distributor being of sutficient diameter to permit withdrawal of the water handling apparatus up through the casing.

9. In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; water handling apparatus within the casing and including a water drop pipe and a water distributor; said water distributor being located interiorly or the casing and including sealing means for preventing entrance of water into the casing above the distributor, additional sealing means for preventing loss of water into the casing below the distributor; said casing having an opening therein for establishing communication between the interior of the storage tank and the interior of the drop pipe for permitting water to flow from the interior of the drop pipe into the interior of the storage tank; said drop pipe being located interiorly of the casing and extending downwardly from the distributor to the source of water within the casing; apparatus for discharging excess air from the interior of the tank to atmosphere comprising: a hollow column projecting through the tank wall so that one end thereof is within the interior of the tank and the other end is located exteriorly of the tank; an air transfer tube telescopically received within the interior of the column and supported thereby and a valve associated with the tube for permitting escape of air through the tube, said tube having an opening to atmosphere so that communication between the interior of the tank and atmosphere when the valve is opened is established.

10. In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank above ground level; water handling apparatus within the casing and including, a water drop pipe and a water distributor; said water distributor being located interiorly of the casing and having a passage therein; the casing having an opening through its wall to establish communication between the interior of the storage tank and the passage in the distributor, said passage also being in communication with the interior of the drop pipe, whereby water traveling up through the drop pipe passes through the passage in the distributor and through the casing opening into the interior of the storage tank, said casing preventing the water which enters the storage tank from getting into the interior of the casing, said drop pipe being located interiorly of the casing and extending downwardly from the distributor to the source of water within the casing.

11. In a well system, a water storage tank adaptable for underground installation and including a discharge outlet for dispensing the water toward the place of usage; a hollow casing leading from the storage tank down into the ground to the water source, said casing extending entirely throughout the length of the storage tank and having one end projecting out of the storage tank down into the ground toward the source of water and its other end projecting out of the opposite end of the tank, the interior wall of the storage tank being spaced from the exterior wall of the casing and, in conjunction therewith, forming a water storage chamber eXteriorly of the casing; water handling apparatus situated interiorly of the casing and including a drop pipe extending down to the source of water in the casing; pumping apparatus for forcing the water from the Water source up through the drop storage tank while preventing such water from entering the interior of the casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,787,220 Patterson et a1 Apr. 2, 1957 

